Wilkesboro was settled in 1845 by its namesake Peyton G. Wilkes, and platted in 1912.[2][3] The locale was named about the time United Railways built its interurban line through the area.[3][4] The post office was established in 1916.[2][3] In 1915 the town had a population of 50, two churches, a fraternal lodge, a farmer's alliance and a railroad depot.[2] Later there was also a grocery, meat market, blacksmith shop and brickyard, but by 1990 none of these businesses remained.[2] The post office was closed in 1932.[5]
The terminus of the United Railways line was in Wilkesboro, and Gales Creek and Wilson River Railroad (GC&WR) started from this line and ran 12.75 miles to Glenwood.[6] The GC&WR also connected with the Tillamook Branch of the Southern Pacific line in Wilkesboro—that line is now operated by the Portland and Western Railroad[6] via a lease agreement with the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad. When Oregon Route 6 was extended from Glenwood in 1957, portions of it used the then-abandoned GC&WR grade.[6] The United Railways track was eventually extended to Vernonia but is now abandoned.[6]
